I did what I could, says Kevin as he tastes defeat for first time in John O’Groats Strongest Man

Organiser Kevin Macgregor praised the volunteers and sponsors who make it possible to stage John O’Groats Strongest Man every year after he tasted defeat in the competition for the first time at the weekend.

The 31-year-old from Groats says that as long as there is enough support for the annual challenge he will continue to run it.

The popular event went ahead on Sunday, returning to a summer slot after being held in November last year. Liam Goldie (Stirling), who recently competed in Scotland's Strongest Man, emerged as the winner after seven gruelling tests of strength, with Dave Mcneillie (Aberdeen) as runner-up.

There was a good turnout of spectators at the end-of-the-road turning area near John O'Groats harbour despite some rain.

The event was first held in 2018 and Kevin won the first three before suffering an arm injury that prevented him competing in 2021 and 2022. He was aiming to reclaim the title on Saturday but had to settle for third place, having only returned to training seven months ago.

“I was leading until the fourth event but I've not got that same base power yet or the competition condition to keep going," he admitted. "I messed up the squat and the last two events didn't go well.

“I've only been training for seven months and I'm not ready yet, but I did what I could and I still got third.

“There were eight of us this year – in the last couple of years there were just three or four of us, so it was a better competition with more numbers.

“I wanted them to challenge me. I said to them [the top two], I'll probably see them at the Scotland's Strongest Man qualifiers next spring so that'll be a different ball game."

Kevin took part in Yorkshire's Most Powerful Man in May and is confident he will continue to build up his competition fitness.

The winner received £1000 and a new steel plate trophy, with £500 for the runner-up and £250 for third place. The top three received wooden shield mementoes, while 8 Doors Distillery also gave them bottles of malt whisky.

Kevin accepted that Liam Goldie was a worthy winner, saying: "He was good overall, which you need to be. He powered through right to the end and I couldn't.”

The event is well supported by local sponsors and by a team of helpers.

“I'll try and keep it going as long as I can," Kevin said. "It's not easy, and there is a lot of work by the helpers. As long as they're still willing to do it, I can do it – but without them I couldn't.

"When you're trying to get guys to come up from the south, it's more worthwhile if they're getting decent prize money – if anything it pays for their travel and accommodation and then hopefully they've still got something left over. It makes a big difference.

"And it is very expensive to get equipment made – steel is not cheap now."

John O’Groats Strongest Man 2023 – Final standings: 1 Liam Goldie, 49.5 points; 2 Dave Mcneillie, 42; 3 Kevin Macgregor, 39.5; 4 Calum Elder, 35; 5 Bret Gillies, 31; 6 Jason Anderson, 27; 7 William Middleton, 10.5; 8 Tony McPhee, 6.

The winner last year was Aberdeenshire's Phil Jack. The 2021 champion was Zake Muluzi, the self-styled “Malawian Monster”, based in Nairn.

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